Weight responsive container filler



March 23, 1965 T. WHITLEY 3,174,565

WEIGHT RESPONSIVE CONTAINER FILLER Filed Sept. 20, 1965 Fl6.,l IFIEZ 3 l lllll 24 INVEN TOR:

THOMAS WHITLEY g agyaam A 7' TORNEV United States Patent 0 3,174,565 WEIGHT RESPONSIVE CONTAINER FILLER Thomas Whitley, 4M5 17th St, Racine, Wis. Filed Sept. 24), 1963, Ser. No. 310,341 7 Claims. (Cl. 17774) This invention relates to a weight responsive and manually resettable material dispenser for filling a container, and more particularly, the invention relates to a liquid filler for cartons such as milk cartons or the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide a fluid dispenser which is relatively simple in its manufacture and operation, and in servicing, but which nevertheless is reliable in operation, and is relatively trouble-free.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a fluid dispenser which is particularly useful and applicable in the filling of containers where extreme accuracy is desired with respect to the quantity of material dispensed into the container. In accomplishing this particular object, the apparatus employed for making this dispenser is not elaborate and expensive, but is in fact, particularly attractive for the so-called small type of industrial dispenser users, who nevertheless require an extremely high degree of accuracy, and also speed in filling the containers, such as milk and the like.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a fluid dispenser which is readily and easily adjustable for dispensing varying amounts of material, so that of course different sizes of containers can be filled, and also so that the precise accuracy of the quantity of material dispensed 0 can be controlled as desired.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a dispenser which is readily adjustable in the flow, and also the shut-off characteristics of the dispensing valves, so that the material flow through the valve can be either fast or slow as desired, and also so that the valve can be shut 01f rapidly, if desired.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a material dispenser which accommodates different sizes of containers to be filled by the dispenser.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a material dispenser wherein the frictional forces effective on the moving parts of the dispenser are rapidly overcome at a pre-selected stage of operation of the dispenser so that the moving parts including the valve will subsequently act rapidly as desired for accurate filling of the container.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser showing this invention, and with the dotted lines showing parts thereof in a second posi tion.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a fragment of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

Basically, the dispenser disclosed herein is particularly useful for filling milk cartons, and it will be described for that purpose. Accordingly, a liquid retaining tank 10 is shown mounted on a stand 11 which includes the supporting legs 12. A dispensing valve 13 is in fluid-flow communication with the tank 1t) through a connection 14 suitably attached to the base of the tank 10 to receive the liquid or the like flowing from the tank 10 and into the valve 13. The valve spout 16 depends from the main portion of the valve 13 in a tapered shape as shown, and directs the material into a container designated 17 and shown in the dot dash line.

The container 17 may of course be a milk carton, and it is shown to be supported on a movable weighing ele ment generally designated 18. The latter includes the base plate 19 and the upright plate or portion 21, which are connected together. Also an upper portion 22 of the weighing element 18 extends across the valve spout 1a and has an opening 23 for reception of the spout it: when the weighing element 18 is in the upper or raised position shown by the solid line. weighing element 18 has a movable platform 24 releasably connected to the upright portion 21 by means of the keyhole connectors 26. The latter of course engages the keyhole openings in the upright 21, and these open ings are arranged in pairs and designated 27 in FIG. 2. Of course two like keyhole openings exist for reception of the connector 26 shown in FIG. 1, and therefore the movable platform 24 can be placed in selected positions on the upright portion 21, depending upon the size of the carton 17 and the desired flow of the material from the spout 15 into the carton 17.

A stationary stand or support 28 is shown attached to a tabletop or the like designated 29 through the means of the bolt 31. The stand 28 has guides 32 and 33 spaced therealong with openings 34 extending through the guides 32 and 33. A connecting member 36 extends through the guide opening 34 and is vertically movable with respect to the stand 28. The lower end of the member 33 connects to the weighing element platform 19 to be fixed thereto and therefore displaceable with the movement of the weighing element 18.

The upper end of the member 36 has another connecting member or link 37 pivotally attached thereto by means of a pin 38. A U-shaped connecting member 39, in turn, attaches to the upper end of the link 37 in a notch 41 in the link 37 to pivotally connect the member 39 and link 37. The member 39 is connected to the valve 13 by attaching to the valve shaft 42, which extends to opposite sides of the valve 13, as shown in FIG. 2, and of course the shaft 42 extends to the interior of the valve to connect to the valve closure or plug 43. Of course the shaft 42 is rotatable in unison with the valve plug 43, and the valve has its passageway 44 disposed to be in fluid-flow communication with the passageway 46 through the valve closure 43, and this, in turn, is in fluid-flow communication with the tapered outlet passageway 47 in the valve 13, all is shown in FIG. 3.

it will therefore be understood that the valve closure or plug 43 is rotatable in the valve 13, and the passageways 44 and 47 can be disconnected by rotating the plug so that the passageway 46 is no longer in the position shown in FIG. 3, but is oblique thereto, and therefore out of fluid flow with the upper and lower passageway through the valve. The rotation of the plug 43 of course causes movement of the control link or member 39 for controlling the dispenser operation in a manner described later.

Also attached to the valve trunnions or shaft 42 is a threaded armor weigh beam 48, which carries a movable weight 4% for movement along the arm 48, and obviously Finally, the

providing an adjusting means of the counterweight 49 along the arm 48 to counter the effect of the force applied through the connecting linkage 37 and 39.

It will now therefore be understood that with adequate weight on the weighing element 18, such as the weight exerted by the parts described, and the weight of milk or like material in the container 17, the element 18 will move from the solid line upper position shown, down to the dotted line lower position shown. This of course moves the member 36 and the connecting linkage 37 and 39 into the dotted position shown, and it therefore rotates the valve closure or plug 43 to close the valve 13 in the well-known manner. Of course this movement was against the effect of the weight 49, which tends to resist the downward movement just described.

Also resisting the downward movement described, is a holding means shown to be comprised of a magnet 51 which is of a permanent nature. The magnet 51 is adjustably disposed on the threaded member 52, which, in turn, supports an arm 53 carrying the magnet 51. The screw 52 extends through a support 54 on the stationary member 28. Therefore, threaded adjustment of the screw 52 will vertically displace the support 53 and its magnet 51. Also, a magnetically attracted piece 56 is connected to the member 36 and the weighing element 18 to be vertically movable with these members to move toward and away from the magnet 51. The piece 56 has an opening 55 for movement of the member 56 over the support 28. Another threaded member 57 provides a stop for determining the upper position of the piece 56 with respect to the magnet 51.

Therefore, in the position shown in FIG. 1, for instance, the magnet 51 exerts a certain attracted force on the magnetically attracted piece 56 to hold the latter upwardly, and therefore to hold the weighing element 18 upwardly. Of course, when the weight on the element 18 is sufficiently great, then the magnet is overcome, and the weighing element is permitted to fall to the lower dotted position shown. However, it is significant that the magnet will retain the weighing element upwardly until the force of the magnet is overcome, and then the Weighing element will be permitted to fall rapidly, since it is no longer under the influence of the magnet 51, as it moves beyond the range of the magnet. Therefore, the valve 13 is rapidly closed, and the internal friction exerted on the part in static form, is also definitely and rapidly overcome, so that the desired extreme accuracy is achieved by this dispenser.

Of course it will now be understood that the adjustment of the weight 49 will affect the quantity of material in the container 17, as desired. Also, adjustment of the screw 52 willatfect the upper position of the weighing element 18, and therefore affect the position of the valve closure 43, and therefore the rate of flow through the valve is affected. Thus, if one desired a slower rate of flow, the lowering of the screw 52 would provide the slower rate, since the valve would not open completely from the position shown in FIG. 3, for instance. Still further, the holding force of the magnet 51 is controlled by the screw 57, so that the speed at which the weighing element 18 will drop is adjustable and selectable by the screw 57. That is, if the screw 57 is set so that in its abutment of the member 53, it permits the piece 56 to be close to the magnet 51, then the magnet will strongly hold the weighing element 18, and when adequate weight is placed thereon to overcome the magnet, the Weight will be great and cause rapid fall of the weighing element 18. If a slower rate of fall is desired, and a correspondingly slower turnoff of the valve 13, then the screw 57 need only be upwardly projected in its support 56.

Also, it should be understood that two dispenser con trol units are provided in each construction so that, as shown in FIG. 2 for instance, an additional unit is provided to the right of the one shown, as viewed. Therefore, when one unit is operating, the operator can load 4, the other unit by placing the container 17 on the platform 24, and of course next remove the container 17 from the other unit, and therefore alternate, as mentioned. However, the rapid drop of one of the weighing elements 18 may cause the other element to release and therefore a retarding screw 58 is disposed in the support 28 to abut the incline 59 on the member 36. This therefore provides a cushion in the fall of the weighing element 18, so that it will not upset the adjacent unit. Of course each of these units would have the member 58 thereon for cushioning as described.

Still further, it will of course be understood that when the carton 17 is removed from the platform 24, the weight 49 will tend to raise the weighing element 18, and this of course would operate the valve 13. Therefore, the second holding means or magnet 61 is disposed in a fixed position on a block 62, and the weighing element 18 has a magnetically attracted piece 63, which engages the magnet 61 to have the weighing element 18 held in the lower or dotted position, even though the container 17 is removed. Therefore, of course the operator must reset the dispenser by lowering the weight 49 from the upper dotted position shown, and this then again then opens the valve 13 for filling of the next container 17.

FIG. 2 shows connecting members 64 and 66, which extend between the two units described for stabilizing the entire dual unit. Also, FIG. 3 shows the valve 47 to be tapered and therefore eliminates the foaming when milk is dispensed thereto, as air is not permitted to come into the spout to cause foaming.

While a specific embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it should be obvious that certain changes could be made therein and the invention therefore should be determined only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A weight responsive and manually resettable mate rial dispenser for filling a container, comprising a vertically movable weighing element for supporting a container to be filled and movable between an upper limit of movement and a lower limit of movement, a material-dispensing valve disposed in fluid-low communication with said container when the latter is being supported by said element, said valve including a fluid passageway and a rotary valve closure rotatable therein for controlling flow of fluid through said valve, connecting means operatively interconnected between said element and said rotary valve closure for translating the movement of said element to said valve closure and with said connecting means including a weigh beam connected to said rotary valve closure and rotatable with the latter, holding means operatively effective on said element for releasably retaining the latter in the position of said upper limit of movement, said holding means being self-releasing in response to a downward force applied thereagainst, and a counterweight connected to said weigh beam in a position to counter the release of the holding force of said holding means on said element.

2. A weight responsive and manually resettable material dispenser for filling a container, comprising a vertically movable weighing element for supporting a container to be filled and movable between an upper limit of movement and a lower limit of movement, a material-dispensing valve disposed in fluid-flow communication with said container when the latter is being supported by said element, said valve including a fluid passageway and a rotary valve closure rotatable therein for controlling flow of fluid through said valve and being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, a pivotal weigh beam connected to said rotary valve closure with the latter serving as the pivot for said weigh beam, said weigh beam being operatively interconnected between said element and said rotary valve closure for translating the movement of said rotary element to said valve closure to rotate the latter to said open and closed positions, holding means operatively effective on said element for releasably retaining the latter in the position of said upper limit of movement, said holding means being self-releasing in response to the force applied thereagainst and being adapted to releasably retain said element in a predetermined force, and a counterweight connected to said weigh beam in a position to be applied counter to the release of said predetermined force of said holding means on said element.

3. A weight responsive and manually resettable material dispenser for filling a container, comprising a vertically movable weighing element for supporting a container to be filled and movable between an upper limit of movement and a lower limit of movement, a materialdispensing valve disposed in fluid-flow communication with said container when the latter is being supported by said element, said valve including a fluid passageway and a rotary valve closure rotatable therein -for controlling flow of fluid through said valve and being movable between an open position and a closed position, connecting means operatively interconnected between said element and said rotary valve closure for translating the movement of said rotary element to said valve closure to move the latter to said open and closed positions, said connecting means including a pivotal weight beam connected to said rotary valve which is the pivot for said weigh beam, a magnet operatively eiiective on said element for releasably retaining the latter in the position of said upper limit of movement, said magnet being adapted to releasably retain said element in a predetermined force, and a counterweight connected to said weigh beam in a position to be applied counter to the release of said predetermined force of said magnet on said element.

4. A weight responsive dispenser for filling a container, comprising a support, a weighing element movably mount ed on said support for supporting a container to be filled and movable between an upper limit of movement and a lower limit of movement, a material-dispensing valve disposed in fluid-flow communication with said container when the latter is being supported by said element, said valve including a fluid passageway and a rotary valve closure rotatable therein for controlling flow of fluid through said valve and being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, connecting means operatively interconnected between said element and said rotary valve closure for translating the upward movement and the downward movement of said element to said rotary valve closure, a pivotal weigh beam included in said connecting means and mounted on said rotary valve closure which is the pivot of said weigh beam which rotates said rotary valve closure to said open and closed positions, a magnet vertically movably mounted on said support and being vertically selectively disposed to be operatively effective on said element for releasably retaining the latte-r in the position of said upper limit of movement, said element and said magnet adapted to have the latter define said upper limt of movement of said element and said magnet being adapted to releasably retain said element through a predetermined force, and a counterweight on said weigh beam in a position to have the weight thereof applied counter to the release of said predetermined force of said magnet on said element.

5. A weight responsive dispenser for filling a container, comprising a support, a weighing element movably mounted on said support for supporting a container to be filled and movable between an upper limit of movement and a lower limit of movement, a material-dispensing valve disposed in fluid-flow communication with said container when the latter is being supported by said element, said valve including a fluid passageway and a rotary valve closure rotatable therein for controlling flow of fluid through said valve and being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, connecting means operatively interconnected between said element and said rotary valve closure for translating the upward movement and the downward movement of said element to said rotary valve closure, a pivotal weigh beam included in said connecting means and mounted on said rotary valve closure which is the pivot of said weigh beam which rotates said rotary valve closure to respectively move the latter to said open and closed positions, a magnet disposed in the upright path of movement of said element and being operatively effective on said element for releasably retaining the latter in the position of said upper limit of movement, adjustable means operative on said element for selectively establishing said upper position of the latter and establishing the vertical spacing between said element and said magnet in said upper position, and a counterweight on said weigh beam in a position to have the weight thereof applied counter to the release of the force of said magnet on said element.

6. A weight responsive and manually resettable material dispenser for filling a container, comprising a support, a weighing element vertically movably mounted on said support for supporting a container to be filled and movable between an upper limit of movement and a lower limit of movement, a material-dispensing valve disposed in fluid-flow communication with said container when the latter is being supported by said element, said valve including a fluid passageway and a rotary valve closure rotatable therein for controlling flow of fluid through said valve and being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, connecting means operatively interconnected between said element and said rotary valve closure for translating the movement of said element to said rotary valve closure, a pivotal weigh beam included in said con necting means and mounted on said rotary valve closure which is the pivot of said weigh beam which rotates said rotary valve closure to said open and closed positions, a member vertically movably mounted on said support in the path of movement of said element and being disposed to present an upper limit stop for said element, a magnet mounted on said member and being operatively etfective on said element for releasably retaining the latter in the position of said upper limit of movement, said magnet being adapted to releasably retain said element with a predetermined force, an adjustable means on one of said element and said support and abuttable with the other of the latter two members for adjustably setting said upper limit of movement of said element, and a counterweight connected to said weigh beam in a position to be applied counter to the release of said predetermined force of said magnet on said element.

7. A weight responsive dispenser for filling a container, comprising a support, a weighing element movably mounted on said support for supporting a container to be filled and movable between an upper limit of movement and a lower limit of movement, a material-dispensing valve disposed in fluid-flow communication with said container when the latter is being supported by said element, said valve including a fluid passageway and a rotary valve closure movable rotatable therein for controlling flow of fluid through said valve and being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, connecting means operatively interconnected between said element and said rotary valve closure for translating the upward movement and the downward movement of said element to said rotary valve closure, a pivotal weigh beam included in said connecting means and mounted on said rotary valve closure which is the pivot of said Weigh beam which rotates said rotary valve closure to said open and closed positions, a magnet disposed in the upright path of movement of said element and being operatively effective on said element for releasably retaining the latter in the position of said upper limit of movement, adjustable means operative on said element for selectively establishing said upper position of the latter and establishing the vertical spacing between said element and said magnet in said upper position, cushion means operatively interposed between said support and said element for engaging the latter prior to assuming said lower limit of movement, and a counter- '2 Weight adjustably operatively interconnected With said Weigh beam to be in a position to be applied counter to the release of the force of said magnet on said element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 630,808 8/99 Grueninger 177-68 635,256 10/99 Kennelly 17774 Bredin 17768 Wright 17774 Schaper 177189 Haver 17779 Wilarnowski 177-68 Lytton 177-414 LEO SMILOW, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WEIGHT RESPONISVE AND MANUALLY RESETTABLE MATERIAL DISPENSER FOR FILLING A CONTAINER, COMPRISING A VERTICALLY MOVABLE WEIGHING ELEMENT FOR SUPPORTING A CONTAINER TO BE FILLED AND MOVABLE BETWEEN AN UPPER LIMIT OF MOVE MENT AND A LOWER LIMIT OF MOVEMENT, A MATERIAL-DISPENSING VALVE DISPOSED IN FLUID-FLOW COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CONTAINER WHEN THE LATTER IS BEING SUPPORTED BY SAID ELEMENT, SAID VALVE INCLUDING A FLUID PASSAGEWAY AND A ROTARY VALVE CLOSURE ROTATABLE THEREIN FOR CONTROLLING FLOW OF FLUID THROUGH SAID VALVE, CONNECTING MEANS OPERATIVELY INTERCONNECTED BETWEEN SAID ELEMENT AND SAID ROTARY VALVE CLOSURE FOR TRANSLATING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID ELEMENT TO SAID VALVE CLOSURE AND WITH SAID CONNECTING MEANS INCLUD- 